tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38452002.post3484366215146845576..comments2024-03-27T03:01:42.539-04:00Comments on Show Showdown: Apartment 3ASandra Mardenfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16126427786620880116noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38452002.post-1154151907645234802008-02-02T14:41:00.000-05:002008-02-02T14:41:00.000-05:00Anonymous; thanks very much for your comments. Yo...Anonymous; thanks very much for your comments. You're correct in much of what you say; as for the capped part of my review, believe me -- if I wanted to give away the ending of the play, I could be much more obvious about it. As is, I subscribe to a belief that if the work reviewed does not DESERVE the surprise of its ending, the critic has the right (or duty) to spoil it. (And yes, professional critics DO subscribe to that belief.) I do apologize for not being more positive, but do remember that this is a BLOG: the reviews that I write can be found on http://thatsoundscool.blogspot.com. (I also think that the show is all the worse given that I liked the first 30 minutes and hated the next 90.) I try to be balanced, but you caught me on this one: which is why it's important that you've written in that you enjoyed the humor and emotions. Sincerely, thanks for writing in.Aaron Ricciohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003634532469211190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38452002.post-65532771985868642182008-02-02T11:56:00.000-05:002008-02-02T11:56:00.000-05:00The play touched emotions and issues we all strugg...The play touched emotions and issues we all struggle with from time to time in our lives: fear, failure, doubt, and loss of hope. It did this with humor and interesting dialogue. I was never confused over the staging and direction, as Owen Smith brilliantly captured the essence of Annie's struggle. My problem with your review is underscored by your last comment: "I enjoyed the first 30 minutes". Most reviewers provide candid insight into the play, describing the good and the bad. You didn't bother mentioning anything positive, even though you have since said you liked almost half of the play. The other thing about your review that I don't like is your attempt to give away the ending by using all caps in your description of Donald. Professional reviewers don't do that when reviewing theater, books, or film. The only thing I didn't like about this play was the 'sex scene' which I felt was a bit over the top and unnecessary. But, that was a minor flaw in my opinion. Overall, an excellent production in all respects.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38452002.post-1079440370309649872008-02-02T10:52:00.000-05:002008-02-02T10:52:00.000-05:00To be fair, I'd rather be too clever than not clev...To be fair, I'd rather be too clever than not clever enough, but I <I>am</I> very honest: no prejudging here. I went into the play knowing nothing about it, enjoyed the first thirty minutes, and then grew exponentially bored. The content was predictable and expositional, the acting was mostly bland and unjustified, and the directing, as I mention, did not adequately capture the overlap of two-person scenes. It's very easy to write an anonymous comment that prejudges me (though I'm happy to have a reader weigh in), but even more so, I wish someone would give me a reason <I>why</I> they liked the play -- a conversation about theater can't simply be "You're wrong, period."Aaron Ricciohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003634532469211190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38452002.post-492961878828599082008-02-02T08:34:00.000-05:002008-02-02T08:34:00.000-05:00In your zeal to review many shows and use a clever...In your zeal to review many shows and use a clever tag line at the end of your review, you obviously prejudged the play, ignoring the content, acting, and directing. As the British say, "you are too clever by half".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com